Conduits and methods for use with marine evacuation systems

ABSTRACT

Conduits and methods for use evacuating a facility include a first end positioned at the facility, a second end movable between the facility and a remote location, at least one elongate member engaged with the body of the conduit and the facility, and at least one stabilization member engaged with the elongate member(s). Angled panels within the interior, oriented in opposition to adjacent panels, can permit users to transit through the body at a controllable rate. The material of the conduit or an outer sheath can protect users from flame, smoke, gas, or other hazards. The second end can engage a breakaway platform removably engaged with an escape vessel, enabling individuals to transit directly from a facility to the vessel. The elongate member(s) can pass through orifices in the platform to enable relative vertical motion between the platform/vessel and elongate member(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application claiming thebenefit of the co-pending United States patent application having theapplication Ser. No. 13/694,620, filed Dec. 17, 2012, entitled “MarineEvacuation Systems and Methods,” and the benefit of the co-pendingUnited States patent application having the application Ser. No.13/694,618, filed Dec. 17, 2012, entitled “Escape Vessel with DetachableLanding,” each of which are incorporated by reference herein, in theirentirety.

FIELD

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate,generally, to marine evacuation systems usable to launch escape vesselsfrom facilities, such as fixed or mobile offshore oil and gasfacilities, and more specifically, to conduits and methods for accessingescape vessels from facilities while protecting users thereof fromemergent conditions, such as heat, explosion, fire, or capsizing of thefacility.

BACKGROUND

Evacuation during an emergent situation from an offshore vessel orfacility, such as an oil and gas platform, is primarily accomplishedusing davit or freefall lifeboats, which are mandated by international(e.g., IMO SOLAS) and various national laws. To enable evacuation ofpersonnel that are unable to access the lifeboats in an emergentsituation (e.g., fire, explosion, etc.), an alternative “secondary”means of evacuation is also typically provided, which can includethrow-over, self-righting life rafts, mounted at all deck levels arounda facility. Other alternative means can include evacuation systemshaving an open-mesh stocking and/or chute connecting a deck of afacility to an open-boarding raft located at sea level, theopen-boarding raft having multiple life rafts connected thereto. Use ofan open-mesh stocking is preferred to minimize wind resistance and thepotential for wind to displace a deployed chute; however, personneldescending through an open-mesh stocking are unprotected from smoke,direct flame envelopment, and high heat flux, which are common emergentsituations that require evacuation. Such hazards associated, forexample, with an offshore oil and gas facility, can include a fire withaccompanying dense toxic and/or asphyxiating combustion products,explosion followed by fire and smoke, major gas release, or combinationsthereof It is also common for personnel to become caught and/or injuredin the open-mesh material. Incapacitation of an evacuee within an escapechute by these or other hazards can prevent further evacuation byblocking the chute. Further, if an emergency causes a vessel or facilityto capsize or otherwise reach a non-vertical orientation, thepossibility exists for evacuees to become trapped in the chute.

Once an individual reaches an open boarding raft, other potentialdangers exist, due to the fact that an open boarding raft provides noprotection from waves or weather, which creates the potential forindividuals to be washed overboard, slip and fall into the sea, or fallbetween the boarding raft and life raft during the cross-boardingprocess. Additionally, each of the separate life rafts must be pulledinto an open boarding raft and tied off, which is a hazardousundertaking, especially during moderate to severe weather conditions.Also, by evacuating personnel into multiple life rafts the personnel aredispersed and therefore more difficult to recover following and emergentsituation.

A need exists for conduits and methods that protect personnel fromemergent conditions, such as flames, heat, and smoke, during anevacuation process, and also reduce the potential for entanglementand/or injury while traversing a conduit.

A need also exists for conduits and methods that reduce or eliminate thepossibility of an individual becoming trapped while traversing aconduit.

A further need exists for conduits that are both deployable andboardable, from the deck of a facility, and that transit directly to anescape vessel, without requiring cross-boarding or similar hazardousundertakings.

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure meet theseneeds.

SUMMARY

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate toconduits (e.g., vertical telescoping escape chutes) usable with offshoremarine evacuation systems. An embodiment includes a chute body formedfrom a close-knit material, such as Kevlar Raschel Warp Knit (e.g.,composed 100% from Kevlar29, available from DuPont, which is a 1000denier material). The body of the conduit can be formed into a tubular(e.g., cylindrical) shape, such as through use of Kevlar thread,marine-grade polyvinylchloride, or similar materials. In an embodiment,the conduit can be modular and/or extendable, through attachment ofmultiple sections (e.g., 48-inch tubular sections, attachableend-to-end). Between adjacent sections, the conduit can include aconnecting member, such as a stainless steel hoop (e.g., a 42-inchdiameter hoop). The chute body can be supported using ropes, cables, orsimilar elongate members, which in an embodiment, can include 4600lb-rated Kevlar ropes, with turned and spliced looped ends connected toeach hoop or similar connector between sections of conduit, through useof appropriate connectors and/or fasteners (e.g., 5000 lb-rated316-grade stainless steel shackles).

Integration of ropes and/or cables directly into the chute body providesthe conduit with a high degree of vertical load bearing capacity, whichenables a stable chute having longer lengths than what is conventionallypossible, and enabling a larger number of personnel to traverse theconduit at one time. Use of Kevlar or similar close-knit and/or heatresistant materials can provide a barrier to protect personnel from heatflux and other extreme temperatures. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the conduit (e.g., the upper portion thereof that would beexposed to emergent conditions from a facility) can include an outerand/or inner sheath that protects personnel from fire, gas, smoke,and/or other similar hazards. In an embodiment, a portion of the conduit(e.g., the sheath and/or the upper portion thereof) can include a lightsource, such as a ribbon light rated for use in a flammable environment(Zone I, Div I, Class I), to illuminate the conduit. Such a light sourcecan be powered using a contained battery and/or a power source availablefrom the facility.

In an embodiment, the interior of the conduit can be provided with slidesections, which can be oriented such that adjacent sections of theconduit include slides having opposing angles relative to each adjacentsection, such that users traversing the conduit move in a “zig-zag”motion, enabling users to transit through the conduit in a controlledmanner (e.g., through one section/cell at a time). In a furtherembodiment, at least one, and potentially, all sections of the conduitcan be provided with a discrete escape panel, such that if the conduitbecomes blocked, a user becomes stuck, and/or the facility capsizes orotherwise orients in a non-vertical direction, personnel will be able toexit the chute independent of their location within.

As such, embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosurecan reduce the exposure of personnel to heat, smoke, gas, and flames,while reducing the potential for becoming caught and/or trapped, bothdue to the use of a close-knit material and the placement of escapepanels.

The conduit can include a telescoping chute, able to be stored within acontainer and/or frame positioned at a facility, and deployed from thelevel of the facility deck to the level of a body of water below. In anembodiment, an end of the chute can be engaged with a platform removablyattached to an escape vessel (e.g., an inflatable life raft), such thatpersonnel that transit through the conduit can move directly from thefacility deck to the escape vessel, without requiring use of anopen-boarding raft or similar hazardous undertakings. After boarding,the platform can be detached from the life raft, such as throughdisengagement of quick disconnect pins and/or clamps, enabling the raftto float free of the escape chute and away from a hazard. The escapechute and/or platform can then be recovered for reuse, such as throughuse of a winch or similar mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate an implementation of apparatusconsistent with the present invention and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent withthe invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic isometric view of an embodiment of aconduit usable within the scope of the present disclosure, with theouter surface removed to enable visualization of internal components.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagrammatic side view of the conduit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a marineevacuation system usable within the scope of the present disclosure,with an escape conduit shown in a deployed position.

FIG. 4A depicts a diagrammatic side view of the marine evacuation systemof FIG. 3, with an escape conduit shown in a retracted/stored position.

FIG. 4B depicts a diagrammatic top view of the marine evacuation systemof FIG. 4A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate toconduits (e.g., escape chutes) and methods usable with evacuationsystems. A specific embodiment can include a telescoping chute, formedfrom close-knit Kevlar or a similar durable, close-knit material, thatcan be stored, e.g., in a container, skid, and/or frame in afolded/retracted position, that can be extended from the deck of afacility (e.g., an oil and gas platform, a vessel, etc.) to a body ofwater below. For example, a pneumatic winch and associated cables,pulleys, accumulators, drum, and structural supports can be used toraise/lower the conduit, though other mechanisms can be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. The end of theconduit remote from the facility can be engaged to a platform, theplatform having an escape vessel (e.g., an inflatable life raft) engagedthereto, such that after deployment of the conduit, personnel cantransit through the conduit from the facility directly to the escapevessel. The escape vessel can be detached from the platform to enablemovement of the vessel away from the facility and/or any associatedhazards. A stabilization system (e.g., cable tensioning cans) can alsobe provided in association with the conduit and deployed concurrentlywith the remainder of the system.

Embodiments of the conduit can include modular sections, attachable(e.g., end-to-end), with connectors (e.g., stainless steel hoops)therebetween, while stabilization cables (e.g., high tensile strengthKevlar cables) can connect each section of the conduit to providestrength thereto. The cables can further be connected to thestabilization system, such that the weight of the stabilizing members(e.g., tensioning cans) of the stabilization system maintain the cablesand conduit in a generally vertical orientation. Internal slide panelscan be arranged in an opposing, e.g., “zig-zag” pattern along whichpersonnel can transit, while one or multiple sections of the conduit caninclude escape panels for enabling personnel to exit the conduit whendownward transit through the interior of the conduit and/or along theslide is not possible or becomes undesirable.

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a conduit (1) is shown, whichcan be formed from a close-knit material, such as a Kvelar Raschel WarpKnit (e.g., composed of 100% Kevlar29, available from DuPont), or asimilar close-knit, durable material (e.g., 1000 denier). The conduit(1) has been provided with a generally cylindrical and/or tubular shape,and in an embodiment, can be formed into such a shape through use ofKevlar thread and marine grade polyvinylchloride, or other durablematerials. It should be understood, however, that while the figuresdepict a generally cylindrical conduit (1), other embodiments caninclude conduits having other shapes (e.g., square tubular, rectangular,spiraled, etc.) without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Additionally, it should be understood that the conduit (1)shown in FIG. 1 is only an exemplary portion of a usable conduit (e.g.,FIG. 1 depicts a portion of a conduit that is about 12 feet in length,having a diameter of about 42 inches), and that usable conduits couldhave any length and/or dimensions, as desired. For example, FIG. 1depicts the conduit (1) having three discrete sections of which anexemplary section (4) is labeled for reference. Additional sectionscould be added to the depicted conduit (1), and/or sections could beremoved, depending on the overall desired length thereof. In anembodiment, the conduit (1) can be formed from modular sectionsapproximately 48 inches in length. Alternatively, a conduit of anydesired length could be integrally formed as a single piece, or anynumber of separate sections.

Between each adjacent section (4), a connector (5) is shown, thedepicted connectors including a ring or hoop-shaped structure having adiameter generally equal to that of the conduit (1). In an embodiment,the connectors (5) can include stainless steel hoops, e.g., 316-gradestainless steel, having a width of about 0.75 inches, and a diameter ofabout 42 inches. Stabilization cables (6) are shown positioned along thesides of the conduit (1), supporting each section (4) thereof andengaging each connector (5) at a shackle (7) or similar type of eye orconnector. In an embodiment, the cables (6) can include 4600 lb ratedKevlar ropes, with turned and spliced looped ends connected to eachconnector (5); however, any generally elongate member can be used toprovide stability to the conduit (1) without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. While FIG. 1 depicts four cables (6), generallyequidistantly spaced about the circumference of the conduit (1), anynumber of cables having any configuration can be used, e.g., dependingon the dimensions and/or material characteristics of the conduit (1) andcables (6). Integration of the cables (6) directly into the conduit (1)provides the conduit (1) with a high degree of vertical load bearingcapacity, enabling conduits of greater lengths than what isconventionally possible to be stably constructed, and also enabling alarger number of personnel to traverse the conduit (1) at one time.

Within each section (4), e.g., between each connector (5), a slide panel(3) is shown connected (e.g., stitched) in the interior of the conduit(1). Each slide panel (3) is shown arranged in an opposing positionrelative to each adjacent slide panel (3), such that the slide panels(3) define a “zig-zag” shape along which personnel can traverse. Eachsection (4) is also shown including an escape panel (10) formed in aside thereof, such that individuals can exit the conduit (1) (e.g., inthe direction indicated by arrows (11)) should the conduit (1) becomeblocked or should further downward transit become impossible orotherwise undesirable.

With reference to FIG. 2, a diagrammatic side view of the conduit (1) isshown, formed from discrete sections (e.g., 48 inch cylindricalsections) of a close-knit (e.g., Kevlar) material, attached (e.g.,end-to-end) at ring or hoop-type connectors (5), with stabilizationcables (6) extending along the sides thereof, that engage eyes and/orshackles (7) extending from and/or otherwise engaged with the connectors(5). The slide panels (3) are shown through the material of the conduit(1) using dashed lines, each panel (3) being positioned such thatpersonnel can transit through the conduit (1) in a “zig-zag” motion, asindicated by the arrows (2). While the close-knit (e.g., Kevlar)material of the conduit (1) can protect personnel from heat flux, thedepicted embodiment includes an outer sheath (8) positioned over anupper portion of the conduit 91), the sheath (8) being adapted toprevent the passage of fire, gas, and/or smoke, thereby protectingpersonnel within the conduit (1) from these hazards. The sheath (8)and/or one or more portions of the conduit (1) can be fitted with alight source (9) (e.g., an internal ribbon light) for illuminating theconduit, such as during periods of limited visibility (e.g. night hours,inclement weather, smoke, etc.). The light source (9) can be rated foruse in a flammable environment (e.g., Zone I, Div I, Class I), and canbe adapted to illuminate as the conduit (1) is deployed, such as throughuse of a digital position switch. In an embodiment the light source (9)can be powered by a 24 vdc Exd, Exe, or Intrinsically safe power unitlocated within or proximate to the conduit (1) (e.g., a container withinwhich the conduit (1) is stored when retracted), and can further includea battery or similar independent power source such that no externalpower is required to illuminate the light source (9). While FIG. 2 showsthe sheath (8) having a length that covers an upper portion of theconduit (1), it should be understood that the length of the sheath (8)can vary depending on the distance from the deck of a facility to anescape vessel or other remote location. Typically, the potential forexposure of personnel to hazards such as flames, smoke, heat, and thelike diminishes once an evacuee transits a short distance below thelevel of a facility deck; however, in various embodiments, the conduit(1) can include a protective sheath that covers its entirety, lowerportions thereof, upper portions thereof, central portions thereof, orany combination.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a marine evacuation system,usable with the conduit (1) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and/or other similarconduits, is depicted. The system is shown within a container and/orskid frame (22) positioned on the deck (20) of a facility, such that aforward portion/compartment of the container and/or skid frame (22)extends outward from the deck (20) (e.g., overhanging therefrom) above abody of water (30). The container and/or skid frame can be bolted to thedeck (20) and/or any intermediate support structure. In an embodiment askid frame can be attached to and/or otherwise provided into associationwith the deck (20) and a container housing the evacuation system can bebolted to and/or otherwise secured to the skid frame. The containerand/or skid frame (22) can be designed to protect the contents and anypersonnel within from smoke, fire, heat, and/or explosion.

The rear portion of the container and/or skid frame (22) is shown havinga pneumatic winch (24) contained therein, with associated accumulatorbottles (26) and pulleys (28), usable to deploy and retract thestabilization cables and/or wires (6), such that the winch (24) isusable to deploy the conduit (1) from the level of the deck (20) to thelevel of the body of water (30) below. An embodiment can include one ormore light sources within the container and/or skid frame (22) (e.g.,explosion-proof fluorescent light units), with an associated electricaljunction box and/or similar power source (e.g., external connectionsform the facility or self-contained sources of power.) While thedepicted embodiment includes a pneumatic winch (24), it should beunderstood that any mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or othercomparable mechanism can be used to deploy and/or retract the conduit(1) and/or other portions of the system.

FIG. 3 depicts the system in a deployed position, with the conduit (1)extending from the level of the deck (20), through an opening in theskid frame and/or container (22) (having a trap door (40) in associationtherewith), to that of the body of water (30), terminating at abreakaway landing platform (34) engaged with a high capacity life raft(32) (e.g., using one or more pins, clamps, etc. adapted for quickremoval/disconnection). The stabilization cables (6) can extend throughorifices in the platform (34) to engage stabilization members (36),shown as tension cans, beneath the surface of the water (30). Thestabilization members (36) are thereby usable to stabilize the conduit(1), while vertical movement of the platform (34) and/or raft (32), suchas motion caused by waves, is permitted due to the relative movementpermitted between the platform (34) and cables (6). A painter line (38)of the raft (32) is shown attached to one of the stabilization members(36), such that deployment of the stabilization members (36) can causeinflation of the raft (32) during and/or after extension of the conduit(1).

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict side and top views, respectively, of the systemof FIG. 3 in a stowed position, in which the conduit (1), raft (32), andplatform (34) are retracted into the container and/or skid frame (22)for storage and protection thereof. The raft (32) is shown folded and/orotherwise positioned around the retracted/stowed conduit (1) andsupported by a grating (42). The conduit (1) can be anchored at itsupper end to the container and/or skid frame (22) and/or an intermediatesupport structure/frame, and at its lower end to the platform (34). Thestabilization members (36) are shown underneath the grating (42), thegrating (42) being deployable therewith and/or retainable with the raft(32). FIG. 4A also depicts the trap door (40) in a closed position forretaining the conduit (1), raft, (32), platform (34), grating (42)and/or stabilization members (36) therein. The container and/or skidframe (22) is also shown having a door and/or panel (44) that isopenable to permit access between the container (22) and the facility.FIG. 4A depicts the panel (44) in a closed position, while FIG. 4Bdepicts the panel in an open position.

In use, the winch (24) can be used, e.g., in conjunction with theaccumulators (26), to lower the platform (34) and raft (32) to the bodyof water (30) while extending the conduit (1) to the position shown inFIG. 3. Continued operation of the winch can lower the stabilizationmembers (36) and grating (42) beneath the water (30), providingstability to the conduit (1) while actuating the painter line (38, shownin FIG. 3) to inflate the raft (32). Use of a pneumatic winch enablesoperation thereof without requiring external power, though it should beunderstood that other mechanisms could also be used to deploy the systemwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 4Bshows three stabilization cables and/or wires (6) extending from thewinch (24) and passing through corresponding orifices formed within thelanding platform (34).

The stabilization cables (6) thereby provide stability to the conduit(1), both due to their association and/or engagement with portions ofthe conduit (1), and through their engagement with the stabilizationmembers (36), while allowing vertical movement of the platform (34)and/or raft (32) due to the ability of the cables (6) to move freelywithin orifices in the platform (34). In an embodiment, relativehorizontal and/or rotational movement between the raft (32) and platform(34) can be permitted, such as through use of a platform having a firstportion (e.g., an interior portion, such as a ring or hoop) engaged withthe conduit (1), and a second portion (e.g., an exterior ring, hoop, orsimilar portion) engaged to the raft (32) and/or any intermediateconnectors (e.g., webbing straps). Bearings and/or rollers between thefirst and second portions of the platform (34) can permit relativerotation therebetween, such that life raft (32) is able to move relativeto the platform (34) in a horizontal plane, such as when affected bywind, waves, current, and/or other forces.

When evacuation of a facility is desired, the system can be deployed bylowering the chute (1), raft (32), platform (34), and stabilizationmembers (36) to the water (30) using the winch (24), after opening thetrap door (40) (e.g., by removal and/or manipulation of a retaining pinassembly or similar mechanism.) Once the raft (32) reaches the water(30), continued deployment of the stabilization members (36) beneath thewater (30) can cause inflation of the raft (32) about the platform (34),such as through actuation of a shortened painter line (38) of the raft(32) attached to one of the stabilization members (36). In anembodiment, during typical use, the stabilizing members (36) (e.g.,tensioning cans) can be positioned 10-15 feet below the surface of thewater (30). The landing platform (34) can retain the conduit (1) inplace through contact between the cables (6) and the sides of orificeswithin the platform (34), and optionally, through use of retainingclamps, pins, and/or other types of fasteners, while the stabilizationmembers (36) tension the conduit (1) to maintain the conduit (1) andraft (32) in a stable position. The raft and/or platform can move freelyup and down the cables (6) under the influence of wave and swell actiondue to the passage of the cables (6) through the orifices in theplatform (34).

After the system has been deployed, personnel can enter the conduit (1)and transit directly to the raft (32). The close-knit material of theconduit (1) and/or the outer sheath (8, shown in FIG. 2) can protectpersonnel from fire, heat, smoke, etc. The discrete sections (4) and/orcompartments of the conduit (1) and/or the arrangement of the slidepanels (3) can enable each individual to move through the conduit (1) ina controlled manner (e.g., through one section at a time). Upon reachingthe landing platform (34) personnel can exit the conduit (1) directlyinto the raft (32), thus eliminating the risks posed by exiting into alarge diameter open boarding raft and then moving across the boardingraft to attempt to pull and enter a separate life raft. To accommodatefor wave action, capsizing of the facility, and/or other hazards, theescape panels (10) of the conduit (1) can allow personnel to exit theconduit (1) from any section thereof For example, if wave motion movesthe raft (32) upward relative to the lower end of the conduit (1),personnel could exit whichever cell of the conduit (1) is adjacent tothe raft (32), independent of the physical location of the bottom of theconduit (1).

Once personnel have entered the raft (32) the raft (32) can bedisconnected from the platform (34), e.g., through removal/disengagementof pins or similar fasteners connecting the platform (34) to the raft(32) and/or to intermediate connectors, such as webbing straps. Anembodiment can include a locking pin or similar member that retains thepins or fasteners in position until the locking pin is removed and/ordisengaged. After disengagement from the platform (34), the raft (32)can move away from the facility and any associated hazards.

In an embodiment, the landing platform (34), conduit (1), grating (42),and/or stabilization members (36) can remain in place for futureretrieval and/or reuse, such as through use of the winch (24). In anembodiment, if no pneumatic air supply is available from the facility,e.g., due to shutdown in an emergency, the accumulators can be providedwith sufficient capacity to recover the system without external air.

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure canthereby provide conduits and methods that protect personnel fromemergent conditions, such as flames, heat, and smoke, during anevacuation process, reduce the potential for entanglement and/or injurywhile traversing a conduit, and that can be deployable and boardable,from the deck of a facility, and transit directly to an escape vessel.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in detail andshown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that suchembodiments are merely illustrative of and not devised without departingfrom the basic scope thereof, which is determined by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conduit for use evacuating a facility, theconduit comprising: a first end positioned at the facility; a second endmovable between the facility and a location remote from the facility; abody defining an interior passage, wherein the body extends between thefirst end and the second end; at least one elongate member engaged withthe body and the facility for moving the second end and providingstability to the body; and at least one stabilization member engagedwith said at least one elongate member for providing stability to thebody.
 2. The conduit of claim 1, wherein the interior passage comprisesat least one angled panel positioned therein, and wherein said at leastone angled panel is adapted to enable users to transit through the bodywhile contacting said at least one angled panel.
 3. The conduit of claim2, wherein the interior passage comprises a first angled panelpositioned at a first angle relative to the body and a second angledpanel adjacent to the first angled panel and positioned at a secondangle opposite the first angle for enabling users to transit through thebody at a controllable rate.
 4. The conduit of claim 1, wherein said atleast one elongate member comprises an upper end engaged with thefacility, a central portion engaged with the body, and a lower endengaged with said at least one stabilization member.
 5. The conduit ofclaim 4, wherein said at least one stabilization member is remote fromthe second end of the body.
 6. The conduit of claim 4, wherein the upperend engages a mechanism for extending the conduit, retracting theconduit, or combinations thereof.
 7. The conduit of claim 6, wherein themechanism comprises a pneumatic winch.
 8. The conduit of claim 1,wherein the second end of the conduit a platform removably engaged withan escape vessel, wherein the platform comprises at least one orificeformed therein, and wherein said at least one elongate member passesthrough said at least one orifice to enable relative vertical movementbetween the platform and said at least one elongate member.
 9. Theconduit of claim 8, wherein the escape vessel comprises an inflatablevessel and a mechanism for inflating the inflatable vessel engaged withsaid at least one stabilization member for enabling deployment of saidat least one stabilization member to actuate the mechanism to causeinflation of the inflatable vessel.
 10. The conduit of claim 8, furthercomprising a skid frame, a container, or combinations thereof, engagedwith the facility and adapted to contain the escape vessel, theplatform, and the conduit.
 11. The conduit of claim 1, wherein theconduit comprises a first opening proximate to the first end incommunication with the facility and a second opening proximate to thesecond end in communication with the location remote from the facilityfor enabling direct transport of personnel from the facility to thelocation remote from the facility through the conduit.
 12. The conduitof claim 11, wherein the conduit comprises at least one additionalopening between the first opening and the second opening to enableexiting of the conduit at an intermediate position between the first endand the second end.
 13. The conduit of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the body comprises an external layer adapted to resist flame,heat, smoke, or combinations thereof.
 14. The conduit of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the body comprises a material adapted toresist flame, heat, smoke, or combinations thereof.
 15. The conduit ofclaim 13, wherein the material comprises Kevlar.
 16. The conduit ofclaim 1, wherein the body comprises a close-knit material adapted toreduce a potential for entanglement of a user within the interiorpassage.
 17. The conduit of claim 1, wherein the body comprises aplurality of modular sections and at least one connecting memberpositioned between a first modular section and a second modular section.18. The conduit of claim 16, wherein said at least one elongate memberengages said at least one connecting member.
 19. A method for enablingevacuation of a facility, the method comprising the steps of extendingan end of a conduit from the facility to a location remote from thefacility, wherein the conduit comprises a body defining an interior, atleast one elongate member engaged with the body and the facility, and atleast one stabilization member engaged with said at least one elongatemember for providing stability to the body; providing an opening in theconduit between the facility and the interior; and providing at leastone additional opening in the conduit for enabling users to enter theopening, transit through the interior, and exit the conduit through saidat least one additional opening.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein theinterior comprises at least a first angled panel positioned therein at afirst angle relative to the body and a second angled panel adjacent tothe first angled panel and positioned at a second angle opposite thefirst angle, the method further comprising permitting at least one userto transit through the interior by contacting the first angled panel andtransiting in a first direction, and subsequently contacting the secondangled panel and transiting in a second direction for enabling users totransit through the body at a controllable rate.